Abstract: Method of recharging a power source such as a rechargeable lithium ion battery for an implantable medical device. Energy is received within the implantable medical device from an external energy source which energy is used to recharge the power source. At least one recharge parameter associated with recharging of the power source is monitored. Recharging is regulated by increasing a charging rate of the power source in response, at least in part, on the recharge parameter being monitored.

Abstract: Method of recharging a power source such as a rechargeable lithium ion battery for an implantable medical device. Energy is received within the implantable medical device from an external energy source which energy is used to recharge the power source. At least one recharge parameter associated with recharging of the power source is monitored. Recharging is regulated by increasing a charging rate of the power source in response, at least in part, on the recharge parameter being monitored.

Abstract: An implantable medical device having an implantable power source such as a rechargeable lithium ion battery. The implantable medical device includes a recharge module that regulates the recharging process of the implantable power source using closed-loop feedback control. The recharge module includes a recharge regulator, a recharge measurement device monitoring at least one recharge parameter, and a recharge regulation control unit for regulating the recharge energy delivered to the power source in response to the recharge measurement device. The recharge module adjusts the energy provided to the power source to ensure that the power source is being recharged under safe levels.

Abstract: A rechargeable implantable medical device with a magnetic shield placed on the distal side of a secondary recharging coil to improve charging efficiency is disclosed. The rechargeable implantable medical device can be a wide variety of medical devices such as neuro stimulators, drug delivery pumps, pacemakers, defibrillators, diagnostic recorders, cochlear implants. The implantable medical device has a secondary recharging coil carried over a magnetic shield and coupled to electronics and a rechargeable power source carried inside the housing. The electronics are configured to perform a medical therapy. Additionally a method for enhancing electromagnetic coupling during recharging of an implantable medical device is disclosed, and a method for reducing temperature rise during recharging of an implantable medical device is disclosed.

Abstract: A rechargeable implantable medical device with a magnetic shield placed on the distal side of a secondary recharging coil to improve charging efficiency is disclosed. The rechargeable implantable medical device can be a wide variety of medical devices such as neuro stimulators, drug delivery pumps, pacemakers, defibrillators, diagnostic recorders, cochlear implants. The implantable medical device has a secondary recharging coil carried over a magnetic shield and coupled to electronics and a rechargable power source carried inside the housing. The electronics are configured to perform a medical therapy. Additionally a method for enhancing electromagnetic coupling during recharging of an implantable medical device is disclosed, and a method for reducing temperature rise during recharging of an implantable medical device is disclosed.

Abstract: An implantable medical device having an implantable power source such as a rechargeable lithium ion battery. The implantable medical device includes a recharge module that regulates the recharging process of the implantable power source using closed-loop feedback control. The recharge module includes a recharge regulator, a recharge measurement device monitoring at least one recharge parameter, and a recharge regulation control unit for regulating the recharge energy delivered to the power source in response to the recharge measurement device. The recharge module adjusts the energy provided to the power source to ensure that the power source is being recharged under safe levels.

Abstract: An implantable medical device having an implantable power source such as a rechargeable lithium ion battery. The implantable medical device includes a recharge module that regulates the recharging process of the implantable power source using closed-loop feedback control. The recharge module includes a recharge regulator, a recharge measurement device monitoring at least one recharge parameter, and a recharge regulation control unit for regulating the recharge energy delivered to the power source in response to the recharge measurement device. The recharge module adjusts the energy provided to the power source to ensure that the power source is being recharged under safe levels.

Abstract: A rechargeable implantable medical device with an external recharging coil carried on the medical device proximal face. The recharging coil can be attached to the medical device housing physically, or chemically, or a combination of both physically and chemically. The recharging coil electrically couples through housing electrical feedthroughs to electronics configured to perform a therapy and a rechargeable power source both carried inside the medical device housing. Additionally methods for attaching the external recharging coil to an implantable medical device are disclosed. The rechargeable implantable medical device can be a medical devices such as a neuro stimulators, drug delivery pumps, pacemakers, defibrillators, diagnostic recorders, cochlear implants, and the like.

Abstract: An implantable medical device having an implantable power source such as a rechargeable lithium ion battery. The implantable medical device includes a recharge module that regulates the recharging process of the implantable power source using closed-loop feedback control. The recharge module includes a recharge regulator, a recharge measurement device monitoring at least one recharge parameter, and a recharge regulation control unit for regulating the recharge energy delivered to the power source in response to the recharge measurement device. The recharge module adjusts the energy provided to the power source to ensure that the power source is being recharged under safe levels.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory and a method of refreshing a memory are described. The method includes allowing an external system to control refreshing operations within the memory. The memory may generate a refresh request signal and transmit the refresh request signal to the external system. When the external system finds an available time to process the refresh request, the external system acknowledges the refresh request and transmits a refresh acknowledge signal to the memory. The memory may also comprise a page register for reading and rewriting a data state back to the memory. The page register may comprise latches in lieu of supplemental non-volatile storage elements, thereby conserving real estate within the memory.

Abstract: An Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) memory cell and a method of operation are disclosed for creating an EEPROM memory cell in a standard CMOS process. A single polysilicon layer is used in combination with lightly doped MOS capacitors. The lightly doped capacitors employed in the EEPROM memory cell can be asymmetrical in design. Asymmetrical capacitors reduce area. Further capacitance variation caused by inversion can also be reduced by using multiple control capacitors. In addition, the use of multiple tunneling capacitors provides the benefit of customized tunneling paths.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory and a method of refreshing a memory are described. The method includes allowing an external system to control refreshing operations within the memory. The memory may generate a refresh request signal and transmit the refresh request signal to the external system. When the external system finds an available time to process the refresh request, the external system acknowledges the refresh request and transmits a refresh acknowledge signal to the memory. The memory may also comprise a page register for reading and rewriting a data state back to the memory. The page register may comprise latches in lieu of supplemental non-volatile storage elements, thereby conserving real estate within the memory.

Abstract: An implantable medical device having an implantable power source such as a rechargeable lithium ion battery. The implantable medical device includes a recharge module that regulates the recharging process of the implantable power source using closed-loop feedback control. The recharge module includes a recharge regulator, a recharge measurement device monitoring at least one recharge parameter, and a recharge regulation control unit for regulating the recharge energy delivered to the power source in response to the recharge measurement device. The recharge module adjusts the energy provided to the power source to ensure that the power source is being recharged under safe levels.

Abstract: A rechargeable implantable medical device with a magnetic shield placed on the distal side of a secondary recharging coil to improve recharging efficiency is disclosed. The rechargeable implantable medical device can be a wide variety of medical devices such as neuro stimulators, drug delivery pumps, pacemakers, defibrillators, diagnostic recorders, and cochlear implants. The implantable medical device has a secondary recharging coil carried over a magnetic shield and coupled to electronics and a rechargeable power source carried inside the housing. The electronics are configured to perform a medical therapy. Additionally a method for enhancing electromagnetic coupling during recharging of an implantable medical device is disclosed, and a method for reducing temperature rise during recharging of an implantable medical device is disclosed.

Abstract: A rechargeable implantable medical device with an external recharging coil carried on the medical device proximal face is disclosed. The recharging coil can be attached to the medical device housing physically, or chemically, or a combination of both physically and chemically. The recharging coil electrically couples through housing electrical feedthroughs to electronics configured to perform a therapy and a rechargeable power source both carried inside the medical device housing. Additionally methods for attaching the external recharging coil to an implantable medical device are disclosed. The rechargeable implantable medical device can be a medical devices such as a neuro stimulators, drug delivery pumps, pacemakers, defibrillators, diagnostic recorders, cochlear implants, and the like.

Abstract: A power management system and technique to manage and allocate the energy provided to various components of an implanted device during periods of low energy. The power management system includes an implantable power source delivering energy to various components within the implantable medical device, a measurement device to measure the energy of the power source, and a processor responsive to the measurement device. The processor monitors the energy level of the power source. During periods of low energy, the processor limits the energy to certain device-critical components of the implantable medical device. This minimizes the risk of damage to the power source resulting from high energy drain during periods of low energy. Further, this preserves operation of device-critical components of the implanted device during periods of low energy.